Help for DS ( 22) first ever in person interview

[Timeandtune]

Can anyone provide suggestions for DS who has his first ever in person interview on Friday?

He has a great degree in Computing Science and has an interview for a junior developer role ( no customer contact just lots of coding).

He has had v poor mental health in the last couple of years but is slowly getting better.

He habitually wears t shirts and hoodies and hasn’t had any reason to wear a formal shirt since he left school.

He is tall and slim and open to ( sartorial ) suggestions.

Any help would be gratefully received!

He doesn’t have to wear a suit but does need to wear something other than jeans, t-shirt and hoodie.
I would suggest chinos, informal shirt, and some clean shoes (not scuffed etc) which are not trainers.

@Pancakeorcrepe

He doesn’t have to wear a suit but does need to wear something other than jeans, t-shirt and hoodie. I would suggest chinos, informal shirt, and some clean shoes (not scuffed etc) which are not trainers.

I was going to say the same. Lots of interviews at my place recently and the men have wore this or a smart plain jumper.

clean hair, clean nails, clean teeth. Agree with PPs, no jeans (or shorts!), just something neat and comfortable.

Thanks everyone. He is definitely clean and tidy and we can manage black chinos. Will need to buy ( online) some sort of shirt.

From what I've seen and heard (family / friends) a lot of young men are still wearing suits for their first graduate job interviews, no matter how dress down the company or sector is day-to-day. They're missing off the ties but otherwise keeping it quite traditional. I was surprised and I don't know how representative that is but there you go.

It’s quite sensible to dress smarter for interview….creates a professional impression, even if the workplace dress code is quite casual. Some sort of jacket and trousers combination perhaps, even if not a traditional suit. If the interview is through an agency, the recruitment consultant may be able to advise.
Some companies give discounts…this one has a decent range of work chinos/shirts etc, and has outlet shops, but places like Asda and Sainsbury’s are worth a look. www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/students-and-youth-discount.html
Good luck to your DS.

Thanks everyone. Great to have such up to date advice!

My DS is similar and is currently working as a Dev Op.
For interview, a clean ironed shirt and Chinos would be fine. DS likes a dark shirt which he wears loose, and he's worn it for interviews, or a shirt with a casual blazer style jacket. It's useful for a young man to have some sort of smart-ish jacket in his wardrobe as occasions do come up when one is necessary. DS got a blue one made ( not as expensive as you might think, and worth it terms of confidence). With hindsight I would suggest black rather than blue to maximise wearability.
I wouldn't go for a cheap suit.

Thanks DS has black trousers and wants to wear a navy shirt. I have told him black and navy “don’t go” but he thinks they do. Aaargh

No need for suits at all. Chino's proper shoes (brogues or chelsea boots), smart shirt and if cold a v neck jumper is fine.

@Timeandtune

Thanks DS has black trousers and wants to wear a navy shirt. I have told him black and navy “don’t go” but he thinks they do. Aaargh

Can you persuade him into a grey-blue short instead? Or even something like this?

www.endclothing.com/gb/carhartt-wip-kyoto-shirt-i018069-0106.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmKiQBhClARIsAKtSj-mMTgnYpxXnRU5dQVkSTkehElC4DQPP43tL0rxa2bADSu76rgChKYgaAkXeEALw_wcB

Thank you nanbread- I think that might work!

My view bucks the trend here but I'd say always dress smarter for interviews. You'll never be not given the job for being too smart, but there are interviewers who might object to what they perceive as a lack of effort and hold it against you. Regardless of the dress code in the company after you've got the job, you're not there yet. Still doesn't have to be a suit but would suggest a jacket that works with his chinos (try charity shops, doesn't have to be expensive as long as smart ) or if you can only order online because of where you live, a smart jacket is a good Investment as they can still be required in a casual work place from time to time. And have a tie in his pocket should he turn up and everyone else is wearing one.

You'll never be not given the job for being too smart

This may have been the case at one point but in creative and tech industries I'm not sure it's true.

If someone turned up in eg a skirt suit and heels to an interview where I work the first impression based on their appearance would be that they weren't the right fit for the company and probably hadn't done their research into our culture. Of course, they could prove excellent in the interview and still get the job, but it would potentially count against them.

I used to do a lot of grad recruitment across different industries and would agree that it’s better to be too smart than too casual at an interview. I would also add that if he does wear any tailoring, make sure he knows to remove any tacking stitches - e.g. in the back of a jacket or coat, or in the split of a pencil skirt for women (if anyone is reading for a DD). I lost count of how many new grads I met who didn’t realise you are supposed to remove those stitches. I found it quite endearing but not sure they would have felt the same going for some very responsible roles

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice. I think he is hoping that the anticipated blizzards on Friday will mean his interview is moved online!

Have a question or 2 for the end of the interview… Google has many. But can be along the lines of what career path does this role have (shows opened to internal training/progression)

Best of luck to him Time, I really feel for young people trying to navigate unreadable dress codes on top of everything else.

I think a dark blue suit is a good option. Even if he doesn’t wear the jacket for the interview. Black is too funereal imo.
Otherwise a shirt and smart trousers with a fine jumper. Tk Maxx often has more formal clothing especially since more people have been working from home recently.

Good luck with the interview